Meet John Winters

We had the good fortune of connecting with John Winters and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
One of my biggest challenges when I started in this industry was feeling like I didn’t belong.
I’m a quiet man in a very loud industry.
When I began my career in a big box gym, I was constantly told that I was too quiet to make it as a personal trainer. So, I tried to fit in. I put on a façade of being outgoing, excitable, and full of external energy to compete with the louder, more energetic trainers who seemed to dominate the space.
But deep down, I knew that wasn’t me.
One day, everything changed. A sales consultant handed me a new client—a shy, quiet, overweight man who was visibly uncomfortable in the gym’s loud, high-energy environment. After the new client left, the consultant said to me something I’ll never forget:
“I get what you’ve been doing, and I understand why. But this guy needs the real you, or he’ll never be back in the gym again.”
It was like a lightbulb went off in my head.
In an industry full of shouting, clapping, and over-the-top energy, where were the trainers for people like him? People who didn’t feel comfortable in that kind of environment.
At that moment, I realized I didn’t need to compete for attention or try to fit into the mold of what others thought a personal trainer should be. I just needed to be me.
And what I saw in the months that followed confirmed it.
Many of the clients I worked with weren’t looking for a cheerleader. They didn’t need someone to fill the silence with small talk or pump them up with constant energy. What they needed was a guide—someone who could quietly, empathetically meet them where they were.
They wanted:
– A trainer who could create a space where they felt safe and accepted.
– Someone who could listen, not just talk, and help them work through their challenges.
– Someone who understood that showing up to the gym was already a huge step—and that the loud, boisterous energy so common in gyms could feel intimidating.
That experience shaped the way I built my business as an independent trainer—and later, the studio space I have created with Lifestyle Performance Training.
Why Our Environment Matters
Our studio isn’t like most gyms. We’ve intentionally designed it to be a place where people of all abilities and personalities can feel comfortable starting or continuing their fitness journey.
Because I’ve been there—I’ve seen how hard it can be for someone who doesn’t fit the mold of what society thinks a “gym person” looks like or acts like. I’ve watched people hesitate to walk through the doors of a gym because they felt like they didn’t belong.
At Lifestyle Performance Training, everyone belongs.
Here, you’ll find:
– A quiet, welcoming environment that’s free from the distractions and intimidation of a crowded gym.
– Trainers who meet you where you are, without judgment or pressure.
– A focus on building confidence, step by step, in a space that feels like it was made just for you.
I’ve built this space to be the kind of place I wish had existed when I first started as a trainer. A place where people can show up as themselves, without needing to compete with anyone or pretend to be someone they’re not.
If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable in a traditional gym setting, or if you’re looking for a supportive space to start your fitness journey, I want you to know this:
There’s a place for you here.
It’s not about how loud or energetic you are. It’s not about how much weight you can lift or how much you know about fitness. It’s about showing up and taking the next step forward, in a space where you feel safe, supported, and seen.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Lifestyle Performance Training was built from the belief that health and fitness should help people feel more capable in their lives—not more intimidated, overwhelmed, or defeated.

Over the years, I’ve learned that many people don’t fail because they don’t care about their health. They fail because they’ve never been given an approach that truly fits their life, personality, limitations, or environment.

That realization shaped everything about my business.

When I first entered the fitness industry over 20 years ago, I thought success meant fitting into the mold of what a trainer was “supposed” to be. Loud. High-energy. Constantly motivating people with hype and intensity.

But the reality is, that approach doesn’t connect with everyone.

As I worked with more clients, I began noticing a pattern. Some of the people who needed help the most felt completely out of place in traditional gym environments. They were intimidated, self-conscious, overwhelmed, or recovering from injuries and health challenges that made them feel disconnected from their bodies.

What really changed my perspective was realizing those people didn’t need more pressure—they needed understanding, structure, and support.

That became the foundation of Lifestyle Performance Training.

We intentionally built a quieter, more welcoming training environment where people can feel comfortable being themselves. Our focus isn’t on extremes, quick fixes, or making people feel guilty for where they’re starting. It’s about helping them build strength, confidence, and sustainable habits that improve their quality of life long term.

The road to building this business definitely wasn’t easy.

There were years of long hours, setbacks, financial stress, and eventually serious health challenges of my own. After years of overworking and neglecting recovery, I developed severe degenerative disc disease that ultimately led to back surgery.

That experience changed my perspective on health completely.

It forced me to stop viewing fitness as just aesthetics or performance and start seeing it as the foundation for living fully. Being able to coach my son’s soccer team, travel with my family, stay active, help clients, and simply move without pain became far more meaningful than chasing perfection.

When I rebuilt the business after surgery, I did it differently.

I created stronger boundaries, focused on sustainability, and built a company culture centered around empathy, guidance, consistency, and real-life application. That philosophy continues to shape everything we do today.

One thing I’m especially proud of is the way we’ve become involved in our local community.

We regularly support local nonprofits, school PTOs, youth organizations, and community groups through sponsorships, raffle donations, auctions, and fundraising partnerships. Whether it’s supporting children facing medical challenges, local theater organizations, or educational programs, giving back has become an important part of who we are as a business.

At the end of the day, I don’t want Lifestyle Performance Training to just be known as a gym.

I want it to be known as a place where people feel supported, encouraged, and capable of changing their lives in a sustainable way.

A place where people feel like they belong.

Because the reality is, health shouldn’t make your world smaller.

It should give you more freedom to fully participate in your life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting for a week, I’d want them to experience the parts of Arizona that make me appreciate living here. I own a fitness studio, coach youth sports, and spend most of my free time with family, so my itinerary would focus less on nightlife and more on great food, beautiful scenery, local culture, and experiences that create memories.

Day 1 – Welcome to Arizona
I’d start with a relaxed dinner in downtown Tempe so they could get a feel for the area. After dinner, we’d walk around the lake and enjoy the sunset over the water while catching up.

Day 2 – Desert Adventure
No trip to Arizona is complete without seeing the desert. We’d get an early start before the heat and hike one of the local trails, then grab breakfast afterward, probably at T.C. Egginton’s. The desert landscape, mountain views, and wildlife are something many visitors have never experienced.

Day 3 – Scottsdale Exploration
We’d spend the day exploring Old Town Scottsdale, checking out local shops, art galleries, and restaurants. It’s one of the best places to experience Arizona’s mix of Western history and modern culture.

Day 4 – Baseball and Local Favorites
If it’s spring training season, we’d catch a game. Arizona’s spring training atmosphere is unique and brings together fans from all over the country. We’d finish the day with dinner at one of my favorite local restaurants, Arizona Wilderness Brewpub.

Day 5 – Sedona Day Trip
This would probably be the highlight of the week. The red rocks, hiking trails, and scenery are unlike anything else in the country. Even people who don’t normally enjoy the outdoors are usually amazed by Sedona.

Day 6 – Community and Connection
I’d introduce them to the people and places that matter most to me—my gym, some local small businesses, and maybe one of my son’s soccer games. Those everyday experiences often give visitors a better understanding of what life is really like here than tourist attractions do.

Day 7 – Relax and Reflect
We’d finish the trip with a good meal, maybe some time outdoors, and a chance to relax before they head home.

For me, the most interesting part of Arizona isn’t just the scenery—it’s the combination of incredible outdoor spaces, strong local communities, and the people who choose to build their lives here. That’s what I’d want a friend to experience.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost I want to thank my wife Alicia. I wouldn’t be able to do this without her support. I would like to thank my brother for believing so much in my mission he invested as a business partner to make the studio for Lifestyle Performance Training a reality. And thank you to my parents for their continuous support from helping with my kids to work around the studio for whatever oddjob neads done.

Website: https://www.lifestyleperformancetraining.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifestyle_performance_training/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lifestyle-performance-training/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifestyleperformancetraining

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifestyleperformancetraini4851

Image Credits
Photos taken by Stephanie Slezak Photography